Hiking Pole Length

For max comfort, I shorten the length on uphills and lengthen the poles on downhills, the steeper the up, the shorter the pole. That said, I can hike most trails comfortably with a 43″ (109cm) length, which is close to 90 degrees at the elbow on the flat.

As a former XC Skier and racer I use my poles set longer than the 90 degree elbow standard hiking length.  I think of my poles not as “outriggers” but as “forward momentum aids” – similar to XC Skiing, i set the pole height somewhere between elbow and armpit.

I am 6’2″ and I leave my poles at 130 cm a little more than 90 but then I just choke up on the poles when the grade increases.  Black Diamond Alpine Cork.

I like adjustable poles because I find that I prefer 105 cm going up and 115 cm going down; when I used to use fixed poles back in the day when there were only fixed length poles, I wrapped hockey tape for a few inches below the grips to use as a grip when I wanted a shorter length.

I go pretty short. Less than the 90° rule for sure. They swing more naturally for me.

Also i use lekis that ware very comfortable with the top grip so im always on the top grip so shorter makes sense. I hate the bind that my wrist gets put in when i use the traditional grip. If im going downhill for a long time and find myself reaching, i will lengthen them, but otherwise they are really short compared to other people.

Top grip

100-105cm (im 5’10”)

Wow, it’s amazing how much it varies for everybody. I typically don’t vary my length while moving, and am fine with fixed length. I saw that Skurka goes 115cm and he’s 6’0″ so my normal 120cm at 6’2″ seems right in line. My feeling is that any extra length is waisted energy as I don’t want to have to pick up my arms any higher than the minimum amount.

I’m a hair under 6’2″ and go 120cm as well.  90 degrees feels too tall.

The advice varies a lot but only some of us are right. :-)

If you want the poles to take noticeable weight off your legs, knees, and feet, they must be shorter than the contrived 90-degree elbow baloney.  I suggest the top of the pole at your navel to start, then adjust slightly to taste.  For me, at 6’5″, that rule puts the length almost 7 inches shorter than the 90-degree rule.  You also need to use the straps correctly.

If you just want the poles as feelers and for occasional balance aids, it really doesn’t matter much, but longer is probably fine, and the straps are optional.

Spot on, Todd and I totally agree. Ski poles you hold by the grip, hiking poles should be free to swing forward on their own without a death grip. I know some people don’t like wrist straps, but using them allows only my forefinger and thumb to touch the top of the grip, letting the pole swing forward of its own accord with the natural swing of my arms. I discovered years ago that swing weight had more to do weight distribution, not absolute weight (in hiking pole reviews I rarely see “swing weight” mentioned). A pole lighter in the lower half can accelerate quickly and easily swings forward. When I need to plant the pole for rocks, roots, holes, etc. grabbing the grip is done without thinking since the grip literally “falls to hand”. I’m just 5’7″ and run my poles on flats at 100 cm, which also works well for climbing. Downhill I’ll lengthen as needed to fit the terrain. This is where I can put in a plug for the Leki grips – so comfortable when palming downhill.

Bill in Roswell, GA

I also go shorter than the 90* rule of thumb, for extra leverage as Todd and Bill stated. I don’t adjust the poles for uphill or downhill — they seem fine for flat or uphill, and I’ll hold the top of the grip in my palm for steep downhills.

I’ve watched some of our hiking group buddies with adjustable poles. They set them once. It’s too much of a hassle for mountain backpacking to adjust them for continuous changing terrain.

I’m a 90° fixed-pole guy. And I plant them close to my feet on level ground. If going up hill, I plant them behind my feet and push. If going down hill I plant them ahead of me to take off knee strain. This all becomes a habit. My goal is to save my knees and use my arms more for locomotion; Gives my arms something to do :).

-Barry

Piling on … less than 90° … adjustable so that I can have different lengths depending on slope.

6′-1″. Adjustable Komperdells, 120 on steep ascent, 125 mixed conditions and flat, 130 on steep downhill, 140 for tarp.